Renowned composer and Academy Award winner A R Rahman has called for greater investment in talent development and infrastructure to strengthen India's entertainment and arts sectors. Rahman made this appeal following his appointment as the Honorary President of London’s prestigious Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, a role he will hold for five years.
Reflecting on his journey, Rahman recalled his 2000 conversation with musical theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber, who encouraged him to advance the genre. Rahman remarked, "At the time, I didn’t fully understand his vision. But as I worked on Bombay Dreams on Broadway and The Lord of the Rings in England and Canada, I came to appreciate its depth."
Rahman believes India's potential in musical theatre is immense but requires infrastructure, government support, and incentives for performers. “We are at a crossroads where visuals are easily generated, but nothing compares to the magic of live performance,” he said.
Highlighting the growing global demand for live performances, Rahman noted the billions earned by Western artists through recent tours as proof of the medium's viability. His new role at Trinity Laban aligns with his ambitions to foster global collaboration through initiatives like the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai.
"The next five years could mark a transformative era for music and dance," he added, expressing optimism about the opportunities ahead for both India and international partnerships.